Timing questions on new motor...

[sc86gt]

I just attempted to start my new motor and I am having major timing problems.It's popping through the intake badly. The dist is NOT 180 out. I purposely installed it once that way to see what happened-it wouldn't start. I have messed w/the dist a number of different ways w/no luck. What scares me is that I can not see the timing marks w/the timing light regardless of how much I turn the dist-either way.
The cam is advanced or retarted at the timing chain. I can not remember which way I installed it(sounds stupid). What are the characteristics when the timing chain is a tooth off? I am almost sure it's OK but you never know. Any ideas would be great.......

[FAH-Q Racing]

If you just built a new engine, chances are you got a new camshaft, if so, make sure you have the correct firing order, in aftermarket camshafts, you could have either or. A- 1-5-4-2-6-3-7-8 or B- 1-3-7-2-6-5-4-8, try it both ways.

[sc86gt]

It's an Anderson cam N-61 351W firing order

[mean lx]

Are you running a carb or fuel injection? What's the rest of your combo? Where is your timing set? You need to recheck your timing. With the #1 piston at TDC of the compression stroke (Both the intake and exhaust valves closed, the rockers should not be depressing the valves on the #1 cylinder) the timing marks on the harmonic balancer should be at 0. The rotor on the distributor should now be pointing to #1. Retrace all your wires and make sure they correlate to the timing of the cam card; 351 windsor is 1-3-7-2-6-5-4-8. If your timing is correct, your preload on your valves could be too tight on some cylinders keeping them from building up cylinder pressure and sounding as if it wants to start, but won't. Also if you're running fuel injection, the FI harness could be keeping the injectors from firing. I had that problem after building a motor for a friend. I had to fiddle with each injector bank harness and ultimately replace several of the injectors due to being clogged. Look at your plugs and see if they are wet......James

[sc86gt]

CAr runs great now! Forgot I had the old progrma in my PMS for my old combo-BLOWER. Changed the program and it runs fine. Thanks for the help